Multiple wildfires burn in Wash. state

Mills Canyon fire doubles in size in a day

July 10, 2014

A wildfire in central Washington State remained uncontained Thursday with high winds and warm temperatures contributing to its spread.

The wildfire, burning near Entiat, grew to nearly 16 square miles on Thursday, and residents of 109 homes in the area were told to evacuate.

Residents of more than 120 other homes in the area have also been told to be ready to leave, said Joe Anderson, a spokes man for the fire burning at Mills Canyon.

“We had heavy wind last night, but now things have settled down,” Anderson said Thursday afternoon. “There is no significant wind.”

The Mills Canyon fire near Entiat doubled in size in 24 hours to 10,000 acres, officials said. The fire was reported Tuesday.

In northeast Washington, fire spokesman Guy Gifford said Wednesday evening that several dozen homes in all are threatened by the blaze south of Ford, in Stevens County, that started earlier in the day. About 100 firefighters were on the lines Wednesday night with planes and helicopters dropping water and retardant.

Another fire early Wednesday burned about 800 acres, more than a square mile, near Quincy in central Washington. Grant County Fire District 3 Chief Don Fortier said it was nearly out by morning.

Forecasters say hot, dry weather through the weekend will keep the wildfire danger high. Hot weather is forecast through the weekend for central and eastern Washington.